Members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program perform a mini readers theatre of the classic children's story, "The Little Red Hen," for residents at the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center during a recent afternoon coffee. Pictured are, from left, Jan Brandenburg, Marcia Moeller, Alyce McClure, Ruth Rodgers and Evelyn Reyne.
By Lori Ehde
The 36th annual Rock County Red Arrow drive will start Monday with the theme, "A Community of Caring; A Community of Excellence."
The goal for this year's drive, which continues through Nov. 2, is $35,000.
The purpose of Red Arrow is to simplify giving for local residents who would otherwise be solicited by many organizations throughout the year.
Red Arrow collects for 24 causes, allowing givers to contribute to all of them through one lump donation.
One of the local agencies receiving Red Arrow funds is the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
According to RSVP coordinator Vonnie Nergaard, $2,000 from Red Arrow is used to purchase story scripts for the new readers theater.
Volunteers visit area nursing homes and senior meal sites in addition to local preschools to read and role play classic tales, such as the "Little Red Hen," "Chicken Little" and "The Sky is Falling" and "Three Billy Goats Gruff."
The Southwest Minnesota Foundation matches Red Arrow Funds for the materials purchase.
Nergaard said six local volunteers read for the program, but additional readers are needed, particularly younger volunteers.
"RSVP is for people 55 and older," she said. "You do not have to be senior or retired to volunteer."
Interested volunteers can reach Nergaard at 283-5064.
Other local Red Arrow recipients include Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital, Rock County DAC, Southwest Crisis Center and Home Delivered Meals.
Red Arrow drop boxes are located at all the Rock County banks and at Jubilee Foods and Glen's Food Center. In addition, collections are taken through local places of employment.
Luverne High School Peer Helpers are bringing packets of brochures and pledge cards to businesses and will pick up employee donations at pre-arranged later dates.
"My hope is that all Rock County residents, and all those who earn a wage in Rock County, will make a contribution to the 2001 Rock County Red Arrow Drive," said Red Arrow chairperson Shirley Top.
"My hope is also that we tell our children and/or grandchildren that we made the contribution so they, too, will learn the importance of giving."